Governor Walz Co-Chairs President's Bipartisan Council of Governors Meeting

Press Release

Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz co-chaired the Council of Governor's 24th plenary meeting in Washington D.C. The President's bipartisan Council of Governors was required by the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act and established by Executive Order 13528 in 2010 as a forum for Governors to exchange views, information, or advice with the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard, homeland defense, civil support, and other matters of mutual interest. Governor Walz, a 25 year veteran of the Army National Guard, was appointed by the President in 2021 to lead the Council along with co-chair Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Walz was first appointed to the Council in 2019.

"It's my honor to convene this bipartisan group of governors and advise the White House on matters related to homeland security. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we come together, strengthen the state-federal partnership, and work in a bipartisan fashion to protect the health and safety of our citizens," said Governor Walz. "Today, we did exactly that. I look forward to continue working with my fellow governors and federal partners."

Yesterday's meeting focused on cybersecurity, emergency management and disaster response, National Guard and military matters, and workforce development.

The Council members include:

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Co-Chair
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Co-Chair
Delaware Governor John Carney
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Oregon Governor Kate Brown
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
Utah Governor Spencer Cox
Vermont Governor Phil Scott
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon

The Council meeting was also attended by leaders across the Federal government: the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force, Chiefs of Staff for the Army and Air Force, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command General, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, and the Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs.

Source